UF Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program

Work in lawn care, landscaping, pest control, or irrigation?

Join UF/IFAS for GI‑BMP training built specifically for green industry professionals including but not limited to installation crews, supervisors, applicators, and anyone responsible for maintaining Florida landscapes. Register at gibmp.ifas.ufl.edu/.

✅ Earn CEUs for multiple FDACS licenses
✅ Get or renew your Limited Urban Commercial Fertilizer Applicator Certification
✅ Build skills you’ll actually use on the job
✅ Stay compliant and competitive in your field
It’s a simple way to level up your expertise and add value to your work.

👇 Check out upcoming class offerings!
Day, Date, Location - Presentation language
Thursday, Jun 4, 2026, Fort Pierce, FL – English
Friday, Jun 12, 2026, Jacksonville, FL – English
Tuesday, Jun 16, 2026, Ocala, FL – English
Wednesday, Jun 17, 2026, Port Charlotte, FL – English
Wednesday, Jun 17, 2026, Orlando, FL – English
Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026, Port Charlotte, FL – English
Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026, Bushnell, FL – English
Friday, Jul 24, 2026, Sanford, FL – English

GI-BMP courses are administered by the UF/IFAS Extension Program.

If you haven't signed up yet, it isn't too late to subscribe to the Florida-Friendly Focus newsletter before next week's edition is sent to inboxes across Florida. See links in the March announcement below.

Florida-Friendly Focus is a short, engaging quarterly newsletter that helps Floridians create vibrant, sustainable landscapes using the 9 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles. Each issue will deliver practical tips, seasonal guidance, and easy-to-use resources tailored to Florida’s unique environment. Whether you're a homeowner, gardener, or community educator, this newsletter supports you in making environmentally conscious choices that save water, protect wildlife, and keep Florida beautiful. Read the first issue online, mailchi.mp/ifas.ufl.edu/dive-into-the-florida-friendly-focus-newsletter.

Subscribe to receive future issues delivered to your inbox, ufl.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=678591989a60ec9c607e69fc5&id=b818da37e5.

Out of sight, hydrilla’s rapid growth leads to serious issues.
Hydrilla can significantly impair the function of ponds and green stormwater infrastructure by forming dense, submerged and surface-reaching growth that restricts water movement. This excessive vegetation can clog intake and outflow structures, slowing or even blocking the proper conveyance of stormwater runoff. As water flow becomes hindered, systems may struggle to capture and store runoff efficiently, leading to reduced treatment capacity and an increased risk of localized flooding. In addition, hydrilla growth can trap sediments and debris, further diminishing water quality and requiring more frequent maintenance to keep the system functioning effectively.

👉 Learn more about hydrilla: plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/

Wildlife gardening continues after dark.
Many pollinators like moths and bats are active at night, relying on Florida-Friendly pollinator plants and darker, quieter landscapes to thrive.

Thoughtful landscape choices support wildlife 24-hours a day, not just in the light of day. Excess lighting and use of pesticides can disrupt essential processes, so be mindful of how your behaviors may impact nocturnal visitors.

See a list of common nocturnal pollinators from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, fws.gov/initiative/pollinators/nocturnal-pollinators.

Drought doesn’t have to mean a dead lawn. 🌱
UF/IFAS research shows that simple maintenance adjustments, like raising mower height, watering deeply but infrequently, and improving soil health can dramatically increase your lawn’s drought tolerance.
Florida‑Friendly lawns focus on resilience, not perfection. A slightly dormant lawn during dry periods is normal and recoverable. With the right care, turf can survive drought while conserving water and reducing stress.

Not every bug is a problem.
When plant damage appears, pesticides don’t have to be the first step. Not every insect is harmful, and a few chewed leaves are often part of a healthy landscape, causing only aesthetic damage without harming the health of the tree.

Florida‑Friendly landscapes start with identifying pests before treating, using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to choose the least‑toxic option and tolerating minor cosmetic damage to protect beneficial insects from pesticide exposure.

Need assistance identifying an insect pest? See services provided by the UF/IFAS Insect Identification Lab, entnemdept.ufl.edu/insectid/.

Control doesn’t mean more product; it means better decisions. 💚

In honor of Memorial Day, the UF/IFAS Program office will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026.

Our office will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, May 26.
Please note: County Extension offices may have different schedules or host events during the holiday weekend, please check with your local UF/IFAS Extension office for local schedules.

This Memorial Day weekend, take advantage of free admission to Florida’s State and National Parks. Spend time immersed in the landscapes that define our state. Choose your adventure by exploring sawgrass marshes and coastal dunes, pine flatwoods or subtropical forests.

As you explore, slow down and observe the native plants that thrive without additional inputs. These ecosystems support birds, pollinators, and wildlife while offering something just as important for people: space to breathe, reset, and reflect.

Let what you see inspire what you grow. By choosing diverse, Florida‑Friendly plants at home you can boost backyard biodiversity, conserve resources, and create outdoor spaces that support both environmental health and personal wellbeing.

*See comments for links to State and National announcements and limitations.

Pollinators play a vital role in Florida’s ecosystems and they rely on our landscapes more than ever. 🦋
The FFL Plant Guide’s filter for Plants for Pollinators helps Floridians choose species that provide nectar, pollen, and habitat while thriving in local conditions.
By planting a variety of native and Florida‑Friendly species, you can support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects year‑round. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a positive environmental impact in your own open-air porch, yard or community.